The Charlotte Hornets, owners of the No. 2 overall pick, control the 2023 NBA Draft.
The Charlotte Hornets are in the roughest spot to draft. We all know that the No. 1 pick is a lock with Victor Wembanyama. He checks all the boxes of a generational talent. He has the size and skill, but the only question revolves around his mentality.
On the other hand, we have the Hornets. Unlike the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the No. 1 pick, the Hornets lack culture, a positive history, or just plain talent. Yes, they have bodies, but the amount of talent divided between the numbers 9-15 is enough for three rotation players. Youth is no longer an adequate excuse. The turnaround period for rookies has been shortened drastically with these multiple avenues to acquire talent. For the small markets of the world, the primary resource is the draft.
The Hornets actually start the draft with the No. 2 overall pick. The decision they have on their hands: Do you take another ball-hander or a position of need? Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller.
Charlotte is no free-agency destination, so they have to build through the draft and actually hit their pick. Once you have established a young, successful core, then you can add talent via free agency, ala Gordon Hayward.
On paper, this should be a hard decision but contrary to many of the reports, it’s pretty simple. You are at the top of the draft with your own pick, and the need for talent is evident. So, we will examine the two prospects and determine who they should and hopefully will take On June 22.